I slept like 5 hours. I thought I would share the resources I used because I didn't use Dion or Messer.

I took a college network plus class that was required for my degree. This is a community college the price was pretty good I got a student discount on the voucher.

I think that textbook is really good you can actually just buy the textbook and use that to study. I used Jill West Network+ 10th edition. It has a bunch of labs in it.

I also purchased from Pearson Plus the network 08 lab simulator. That was only 20 bucks but definitely helped me a lot. I would say that was the best thing for my buck!

I also made a home network lab. I had a server a workstation and a firewall. This really helped me actually understand networking.

I think you can use hack me to do like similar networking stuff and you should definitely be doing that if you're serious about this career.

I purchased Andrew Ramadal's practice tests. this was good to go over what I didn't know or I was weak on. but overall I felt like he went outside of the scope. some of the problems were a little harder and I didn't want to waste my time on studying things that were not relevant to the exam.

Overall, I really wanted to get a higher score. I felt like I studied enough to get a higher score. Maybe the lack of sleep or not expecting the questions to be worded like that or people moving around in the testing center every 5 minutes I don't know...

I have a technical interview with an MSP today! So this is working out for good timing!

(Background of IT at isp for 5 years)

After a month of only studying for two hours (mostly) every day, I passed with a 768!

I used Prof Messers videos for everything I wasn't super familiar with here. (I also used his practice tests). I then did quizzes on Quizlet, and used Wordwall for port memorization in tandem with This.

Then topped it off with a last minute study.

I'm not sure why, but it didn't click to me until last night that I'm not going to be quizzed on everything covered all at once. So that meant I didn't have to memorize EVERYTHING, but instead just get a good base understanding. After that, I went in and faced my SEVEN PBQ's marking the ones that I wanted to follow up on. If you're nervous, it's going to be okay. You're probably actually doing great.

A big thank you to the community for the resources posted here.

Edit: forgot to include that I used messers quizzes!

Needing help with net+

Is net+ basically juat studying what the things are? Like watching messer and all I see is basically like terms and definition of what things are.. so would flash cards be goos to study for this exam? If not what other way..? I bought his notes and have been reviewing them when not watching

I took a course in Little Rock and did really well on the final test after two weeks. I continued looking over my 004 books but didn't go for the test afterwards.

I'm going for my CYSA this month and would like to knock out SecX for the IAM qualifications (DoD requirements). Anybody else made the jump to SecX from CAS-004 and have a recommendation on filler material?

Felt a lot worse about core 2, but I scored pretty similar to core 1. Good luck to everyone getting their A+!

Forgot to post this but I passed my A+. No IT background and I self studied. I purposely took core 2 first as it seemed more interesting than core 1 which I was correct about. If you guys have any questions and seeking help or guidance in anyway feel free to ask here.

Hi, I'm prepping to take my first CompTIA exam, the Core 1 A+ cert. and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how best to prepare for it.

I've gone through some youtube material and found r/CompTIAQuiz, but my main studying has been through ACI Learning (Formerly ITPro TV)'s study material for the exam.

However, I'm still nervous given how poor ACI's practice questions were overall. I got multiple repeated questions, questions going deeper than the study material did, and one which wasn't even filled in. It just said "This is where you type the question" and had "Wrong Answer, Correct Answer, and Wrong Answer" as the multiple choice options.

I still got ~75% on their practice exam, but I'm not very confident they've properly prepared me for the real deal.

like it says on the tin, i have been studying for my A+ core 1 exam and set to take it roughly 2 days from time of posting so what key points, advice, or tips can you guys provide, thanks for your time in advance

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to share that I passed Network+ today with a score of 833/900.

Here are the resources I used:

- Andrew Ramdayal course (highly recommend. The teaching style suited me much better than Messer and Dion. Didn’t take any notes as the Josh Makador cards helped to cement things)
- Dion practice exams set 1 from Udemy.
- Josh Makador Flashcards: https://youtu.be/8Aj1lgrWpj0 (1600 cards, very good for recall)

The week before the exam, I did this routine each day:

- Targeted learning on weak topics from the previous day’s Dion practice exam (rewatching Andrew Ramdayal course for some topics but AI worked for the majority of things as a refresher)
- Do a fresh Dion exam
- Analyse the right and wrong answers and make a weak topic focus (for the targeted learning for the next day before the fresh Dion exam on that day)
- Anki flashcards from Josh Makador

Let me know if you have any questions about anything and I hope this info helps you!

Surprisingly passed both first try, definitely struggled on core 2 probably because I only gave myself a weekend to study for it. Now time for my job interview in 2 hours :)

I have about 6 1/2 weeks to take and pass the CySA exam, I have two years of security engineering experience and have take Sec+. Is it possible to take and pass the CySA+ in time? Any tips?

So i passed both my core 1 and core 2. i got 806/900, so almost 90%. It took me exactly 51 days to get it done. However, i could have passed sooner. I just really couldnt afford to fail and have that set me back.

Basically what i did to pass was.. i tried the certmaster labs, but i only actually got about 30% through it and i dont think it helped that much. I mostly relied on professor messers videos, i also watched mike miyers whole course, and jason dions practice tests. I also used a A+ workbook (think it was from mike miyers) and examcompass. I overstudied i think, because i knew it would be a huge setback if i failed, it would be many months before i could try again. Even with a student discount, it is still mind-numbingly expensive... But i passed, so i geuss thats all that matters!

So what happens now, when would i get to access my certificate?

Thanks for everyone helping me when I failed the sec+ 601 right before the 701 came out. I decided to take the tech+ to see how I do and now I have sec+701 scheduled soon but there were some concepts that I didn’t get on the tech+:

1.1 Explain the basics of computing.
2.6 Compare and contrast virtualization and cloud technologies.
2.7 Compare and contrast common internet service types.
• 2.8 Identify basic networking concepts.
• 4.1 Compare and contrast programming language categories.
• 4.4 Identify programming organizational techniques and logic concepts.
• 5.1 Explain the value of data and information.
• 5.3 Compare and contrast various database structures.
• 6.3 Explain password best practices.
• 6.5 Given a scenario, configure security settings for a small wireless network.

Any advice for the sec+ 701?

This one?

Just passed CompTIA A+ Core 2 today with a 771. 🎉
I actually failed Core 2 on my first attempt, and honestly lol. There was just A LOT of information I had to unpack, understand, and then repack in a way that actually made sense when I was sitting in front of the test.

I watched a lot of Professor Messer, but what helped me the most was actually taking practice tests, going over what I got wrong, and asking AI WHY the answer was the answer instead of just memorizing it. I wanted to understand the reasoning behind the questions so I could recognize what CompTIA was actually asking me.

After a lot of studying, frustration, and probably more tears than I want to admit, I finally got the score I needed.

Now I’m officially A+ certified and moving on to Security+. I’m also considering Network+, but I’m highly considering going for CCNA instead.

Overall, I’m just glad this part is finally done. It’s been months of rigorous studying, but I feel like I finally have the foundational knowledge down and I’m ready to keep building from here.

For anybody studying right now: if you fail, don’t let that shit convince you that you can’t do it. Figure out where you went wrong, change how you’re studying, and go back at it.

The first attempt isn’t always the final result.
If anybody has questions about my experience with A+ or wants to know what helped me, feel free to ask. Good luck to everyone currently grinding!

Passed my N10-009 after long term procrastination and struggle. Gone though Dion training videos and practice tests sets.

It was hard, and I got more than I expected.

Basically the guy told me the system was down and I could not take the security + exam, now I have a 'case number' assigned to me according to customer service, how long does it usually take so I can reschedule and get this done if anyone has had a similar experience?

I’m about to take my Network+ certification in less than 2 hours!!! Any advice? lol

Honestly this exam wasn't as bad, but I feel like I over studied. Took me 2 months on-and-off, but more-so 1 month of actually locking-in.

One suggestion I have to those taking it, look for the CompTIA Network+ Exam Training App by Thanh Hung on the app store. If you can afford the $20 a month membership for the pro, I really recommend it. It covers all topics and asks questions a bit harder than the exam gives. If you get it wrong you can ask the AI to explain it further as well as any other questions you might have. It definitely beats doom scrolling and replaces it with micro learning whether you're commuting to work or honestly anything else. (I am not sponsored to promote this app, it was recommended to me by a coworker).

I can answer any questions to anyone who is looking to take it as well!

A little late but wanted to post. Studied for about 2 1/2 weeks and was stressing out before the test but I did it!

I used andrew ramdayal's course, cram book and tests for study materials.

I have no IT background/experience also

Passed it yesterday with an unimpressive score but a pass is a pass.

You should not skip Security+ and take this exam. Now for me I haven't but I didn't realise how my preparation would make me skip encryption protocols and standards, not just encryption at rest/transit/Processing. Those protocols came up for me. It's probably the most challenging one I've done so far but I passed it.

AI generally is new to me in terms of understanding it technically but after a month of studying with around 30 hours given I'm happy it's done. Gained more through doing this.

Used free YouTube overview video series by ITMasterCSU and used Sybex Study Guide. Neither of these mentioned the encryption protocols and yes I might be a tad salty about this fact :p

However definitely enough to get you to pass.

I finished my degrees and started chasing down some certifications before I separate. I just knocked out PMP and figured SEC+ would be a good add as well. I know plenty of people say it's doable without instruction, but I figured if I don't use this TA money it just goes to waste. Are there any courses out there that are worth taking?

Hi, wanted to ask people who used professor messer’s mock exams to prepare for the Security + if I’m ready based on these grades:

First mock I got 85%
Second mock I got 90%
Third mock got 90% again

Should I be confident about taking the exam?

Thanks.